Device for use in catching earth worms, insects, and the like



0r.24,1933. R. WARNER 1,932,237

mm FOR usr: I'N' cATcHING EARTH WORMS, INSECTS, AND THE LIKE Filed Sept.5, 1931 .mvNTo 'Roe 1'? Warner @fiW i ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 24, 1933UNITED STATES DEVICE ron USE IN carcnmc EARTH WORMS, INSECTS, AND THE mmRoe 1. Warner, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Application September 5, 1931 Serial No. 561,374

'1 Claims. (01. 115-411) I The main object of this invention is toprovide a device for use in catching earth worms and insects, such asants, grubs and the like, which is eflicient and at the same time safeand convenient to use. I

Objects pertaining to details and economies of my invention willdefinitely appear from the description to follow., The invention isdefined in the claims.

m from the right of Fig. 2, the lamp being omitted.

Referring to the drawing, the rod 1 is of metal, preferably sharpened tofacilitate pushing or driving into the ground, and is of such crosssection that it is not likely to be bent. The handle 2 is formed of woodor other non-electrical conducting material and has a longitudinal bore3 into which the rod is secured. The handle also has a. transversebore-like recess 4 which intersects the bore for the rod so that the rodextends into or across the recess 4.

A threaded lamp socket 5 is secured in the recess 4, the handleconstituting an insulated sup.- port therefor. This socket is insulatedby the handle from the rod 3. The single circuit wire 6 is connected tothe socket 5 through the binding post or screw "1. This circuit wire isflexible and preferably of considerable length so that it may be pluggedinto a socket, in a residence, for example, aind the device used on thelawn. I

The lamp 8 may be of standard type and is threaded into the socket 5 sothat it may be adjusted into engagement with the rod 3 as shown in Fig.2, thereby closing the circuit or connecting the rod to the circuit wire6. The circuit wire 6 is of the single wire type, or, at least, only onewire is connected to the socket. The lamp constitutes a switch memberand when adjusted to switch closing position is also in the circuit sothat it constitutes an illuminating means and a visible means fordetermining when the switch is closed,

assuming, ofcourse, that the plug 9 is engaged in a socket.

This provides a safety factor as the operator is made visibly aware whenthe circuit is closed Q5 and the current on.

A structure which embodies the features of my The rod is inserted intothe ground, the earth acting as one element of the circuit. With theearth sufficiently moist the current is evident for a considerable areaaround the rod, and this will drive earth worms and insects to thesurface; or, 0 if sufliciently strong current is employed they may bedestroyed.

The device is very convenient to use, simple and economical.

Having thus described my invention, what I 5 claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device of the class'described comprising a metal rod adapted to beinserted into the ground,

a handle of non-conducting material having a 7 longitudinal bore intowhich said .rodextends and a transverse bore intersecting saidlongitudinal bore, said rod extending across said transverse bore, athreaded lamp socket arranged in said transverse bore and provided witha binding post, said socket being insulated from said rod, a circuitwire connected to said socket, and a lamp threaded into said socket tocoact with said rod and constituting a switch for connecting saidcircuit-wire to the rod.

2. A device of the class described comprising a rod of conductingmaterial adapted to be inserted into the ground, a handle ofnon-conducting material for said rod, said handle having a socket recessinto which-said rod extends, a threaded 5 lamp socket arranged in saidrecess and provided with an electrical connection, and a lamp threaded.into said socket to coact with said rod and constituting a switch forconnecting said electrical connection to said rod.

3. A device of the class described comprising a rod of conductingmaterial adapted to be inserted into the ground, a-handle ofnon-conducting material for said rod provided with a lamp socketconstituting a circuit member, a lamp adjustable in said socket andadapted when adjusted to one position to engage said rod and therebyclose thecircuit and in another position to open the circuit.

4. A device of the class described comprising a rod'of conductingmaterial adapted to be inserted into the-ground, a handle for said rodof non-conducting material, and electrical connections for said rodincluding a lamp adjustably mounted on said handle and constituting aswitch for said electrical connections, the lamp being in the circuitwhen the connection to the rod is closed.

5 A device of the class described comprising a metal rod adapted to beinserted into the circuit member, and a. member adjustable in saidsocket and adapted, when adjusted to one position to engage said rod andthereby close the circuit.

'7. A device oi the class described, comprising in combination a rod ofconducting material. adapted to be inserted in the ground, a handleinsulated from said rod, and a receptacle on said rod for receiving anelectric light bulb to connect said rod in series circuit relation witha source of power.

ROE P. WARNER.

